The Nerazzurri are off to the Mapei stadium on Sunday to face troubled Sassuolo for the early kick-off at 12.30 pm.
The trip to Sassuolo has recently become a bit of a horror show for Inter. But this season’s Sassuolo are a far cry from the overachieving Neroverdi of last year. With an injury list that’s almost as long as a starting eleven, one can’t help but feel a bit sorry for coach Eusebio Di Francesco. Most notably absent will be Domenico Berardi who, along with Nicola Sansone, have been the reason for much Inter misery in previous encounters.
It appears that, despite the disappointing performances, Stefano Pioli will field a back three formation again, with D’Ambrosio playing a hybrid role of wing-back/central defender. While reports suggest that Felipe Melo will partner Marcelo Brozovic in the center of the pitch, once has to wonder whether after last week’s stellar partnership between the Croat and Joao Mario it isn’t best to let the duo continue working together pushing either Ever Banega or Eder next to Ivan Perisic behind Mauro Icardi.
Team News
With no suspensions and injuries beyond that of Gary Medel to contend with, Pioli will have an almost complete squad at his disposal.
Probable Inter line-up (3-4-2-1): Handanovic; Miranda, Murillo, D’Ambrosio; Candreva, Joao Mario, Brozovic, Ansaldi; Banega, Perisic; Icardi (C).
Stats
Last Season: Sassuolo 3 – 1 Inter
Last 10 Head to Head: the two sides have only ever met six times in their history, and while Inter have thrashed Sassuolo 7-0 twice, Inter’s last two visits to the Mapei have resulted in 3-1 losses and have lost the previous three encounters overall.
Player to Watch:
Marcelo Brozovic: The Croatia international has been in sensational form, even beyond his brace against Genoa in the last match, Brozo has been full of running and dynamism. His work with Joao Mario last match in the middle of the park has been close to world-class and look forward to more of the same this time round.
Officials
Referee: Marco DiBello
Assistants: Marzaloni & Vivenzi
Fourth Official: Peretti
Additional Assistants: Russo and Pinzani
Prediction & Authors Note
Prediction & scorers: Sassuolo 1-2 Inter with Icardi and Brozovic getting the goals.
Author’s Note: Inter need to make sure that they survive the first 20 minutes of the match unscathed. If they are able to make it out of the first stretch of the match having not conceded, expect them to be able to take all three points home.
